Abstract

Tissue engineering has been an inveterate area in the field of regenerative medicine for several decades. However, there remains limitations to engineer and regenerate tissues. Targeted therapies using cell-encapsulated hydrogels, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are capable of reducing inflammation and increasing the regenerative potential in several tissues. In addition, the use of MSC-derived nano-scale secretions (i.e., exosomes) has been promising. Exosomes originate from the multivesicular division of cells and have high therapeutic potential, yet neither self-replicate nor cause auto-immune reactions to the host. To maintain their biological activity and allow a controlled release, these paracrine factors can be encapsulated in biomaterials. Among the different types of biomaterials in which exosome infusion is exploited, hydrogels have proven to be the most user-friendly, economical, and accessible material. In this paper, we highlight the importance of MSCs and MSC-derived exosomes in tissue engineering and the different biomaterial strategies used in fabricating exosome-based biomaterials, to facilitate hard and soft tissue engineering.

Highlights

  • Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations

  • The developments in cell-encapsulated hydrogel therapies have been improved by the heightened ease of using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with them [4]

  • MSCs have shown enhanced differentiation capacity when cultured in proximity to other cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) [4]

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Summary

MSCs and Exosomes

The benefits of exosomes are well-known, the drawbacks of delivering a therapeutic dosage of exosomes, especially through systemic injections, may outweigh their advantages [14]. The difficulties in exosome purification and mass-scale production emanate from the expensive manufacturing protocols that require consistency and purity of nanometer-sized biomaterials [14]. Delivering exosomes entails a more efficient method to elude from being cleared by the host body. 2021, 22, 684 consistency and purity of nanometer-sized biomaterials [14]. Delivering3eoxf o15somes entails a more efficient method to elude from being cleared by the host body. Dthueestiozethdeisstirziebduisttiroinbu(5ti0o–n1(2500–n1m2)0 annmd)tahneddtehleicdaetelicmateemmberamnboruasnonuatsunraetuofrethoef tehxeoseoxmoseosm, cehs,acrhaactrearcitzeirnizgtihnegmthbemefobreefothreeitrheinirvionlvoelmvemnteinnt ibniobmioamteartiearlisalis icsrcitriictaiclatlotoopoptitmimiziezeththeeddeessirireeddeeffffeecctt in tthhee ttaarget tissue [15]. TThheessee cchhaarraacctteerizations consist of assays to evaluate the interactions ooff the exosommeess withh the surroundiinngg tisssuuee,, suurrffaaccee mmaarrkkeerrss,, tthheeiirr pprrootteeoommiiccss pprrooffiillee,, tthheeiir mmorphology, and size [15]. Methods to load the exosomes with therapeutics include As showpnasisnivFeig[9u]reor4,acmtievtehomdesthtoodlosa.

Exosomes and Hydrogels
Hydrogel-Exosome Encapsulation Strategies
Hydrogel Combinations for Exosome and Stem Cell Encapsulation
Hydrogels and Exosomes in Hard Tissue Regeneration
Hydrogels and Exosomes in Soft Tissue Regeneration
Alternative Methods to Exosome Delivery
Findings
Conclusions

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